Council to share home energy efficiency cash

Published:08:00Thursday 18 December 2014

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Aberdeenshire Council is to get a share of £60m from the Scottish Government to make homes warmer and cheaper to heat

The Scottish Government’s investment in the Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland next year gives every council cash to help fuel poor and vulnerable households with efficiency improvements such as solid wall, cavity and loft insulation.

The council stands to get a share of £2,2m from the £48 million allocated last Thursday, while councils can bid for some of a further £12 million.

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said:“The Scottish Government is helping people keep their homes warm. This £48 million will be distributed across Scotland to help thousands of households in the most fuel poor areas stay warm and cut energy bills.

“The Scottish Government can’t control fuel prices but we are investing in energy efficiency for homes. We have invested over £300 million since 2009 to make fuel poor homes more energy efficient, and this year and next, we are spending £94 million to improve energy efficiency. Around one in three Scottish households, over 700,000, have now benefited from measures like new boilers or insulation.

The news has been welcomed by Nigel Don, MSP for Angus North and Mearns, who has encouraged his constituents to seek advice on how they can reduce their energy costs.

He said: “The Scottish Government is helping people keep their homes warm. Angus Council and Aberdeenshire Council will benefit from an allocation of over £3.5 million between them helping the most fuel poor stay warm and cut energy bills.

“While the Scottish Government can’t control fuel prices it is investing in energy efficiency for homes.

‘‘Around one in three Scottish households, over 700,000, have now benefitted from measures like new boilers or insulation.

“I encourage anyone to seek free and impartial advice on how they can reduce their energy costs. Help on how to save money or receive support for home insulation, boilers or central heating is available by contacting Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or visiting the website at www.homeenergyscotland.org.”